Senate Bill 113, introduced by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, lowers the age from 17, permitting teens who are getting their learner’s permit or driver’s license at the DMV to preregister to vote.

“They’re really at the height of involvement in learning about the government, learning about issues,” said Trudy Schafer, the senior director for program at the League of Women Voters of California.

“Young people tend to be the group that is least likely to register to vote, so it’s really important that we do things to encourage them to get involved,” she said.

However, Registrar of Voters' Jill Lavine said allowing the 56,000 eligible teens in Sacramento County to preregister means adding complications to the process.

“Can a 15-year-old actually sign under perjury that they know all the information is true and correct? Are they old enough?” Lavine said, adding that she neither supports nor opposes SB 113.

Other problems include the changing nature of signatures over the course of three years and contacting the teenagers who move during that time.

In addition, Lavine said it may tack on more paperwork and demand resources of local elections agencies which, according to the bill, the state would reimburse.

“I would rather spend the time and energy on a more robust program like a mock election program at the schools,” Lavine said.

However, supporters like Schafer believe the state can handle scaling up a system that is already in place.

“Certainly, expense is not the only factor when we’re talking about getting registered and voting and getting involved in our democracy,” Schafer said.

The legislation passed the Senate Committee on Elections and is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee.